Bearing for elastic-fluid turbines.



No. 874,947. I'ATENTED DEC. 31, 1907v W L. R. EMMET & 0. JUNGGREN.BEARING FOR ELASTIC FLUID TURBINBS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 25, 1903.

3 SHEETS-$111121 2.

IMI

' lnven torsz William LREImmeL,

Oscar- Junggren, Q

Witnesses:

aqtltf ix-bu PATENTED DEC. 31, 1907v 3 SHEETS-SHEET a fnvntors'.iiamLREImmeL scar dunggren, 5 5mm.

W. L. R. EMMET & Oi JUNGGREN. BEARING FOR ELASTIC FLUID TURBINES.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 26,1903.

.MWii 'O .UNlTED s'ra'rn s PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM L. R. EMMET AND OSCAR JUNGGREN, OF SCHENECTAD Y, NEW YORK,ASSIGNORS T0 v GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

BEARING FOR ELASTIC-FLUID TURBINES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented. Dec. 31, 1907.

Application filed June 25, 1903. Serial No. 163,060.

a United States, residing at Schenectady, in

the county of Schenectady and State of New York, have invented certainnew and useful Improvements in Bearings for EIastic Fluid Turbines, ofwhich the following is a specifi cation.

The present invention relates to bearings, and more especially to thoseused in elastictluid turbines; and has for its object to i111- provetheir construction whereby they are rendered more satisfactory andreliable in operation.

In the accompanying specification and claims appended thereto will beset forth with particularity and exactness what we consider to be noveland our invention.

In the accompanying drawings, which represent an embodiment of ourinvention, Figure 1 1s a vertical sectlon of the lower portion of anelastic-fluid turbine of the vertical type; Fig. 2 is a vertical sectionof the step bearing employed to. support the 1119.111 shaft; Fig. 3 is across-section taken on line 33- of Fig. 2; and Fig. 4 is a verticalsection of a slightly modified form of bearing.

1 represents the main shaft of the turbine, which supports one or morewheels 2 that are provided with peripheral buckets 3. Between the wheelbuckets are situated interinediate buckets 4 that receive the motivefluid. from one set of buckets and after changing its directiondischarge it at the proper angle againstthe buckets of an adjacent row.The bucket wheel is inclosed by a shell or casing 5 that also su )portsthe intermediatebuckets. This shell or casing is mounted on the base 6which contains an eX- haust chamber for receiving the motive fluiddischarged by the wheel.

The base is mounted on a sub-base 7 that in turn is supported by amasonry or. other foundation 8,

the latter being provided with a pit directly under the bearings'sothat. they can be. re-.

moved. T hesub-base is cored or bored out in the center to receive thestep bearing and its support .and'is provided with finished supportingsurfaces 9 that engage corre spending siufacies on the under side of thebase.

The base is provided with a central opening having innshed wallsthrough'which the step bearing promote.

"it will. beacon that the stop and guide so as to bearings are locatedwithin and rise above the bottom of the chambered base, and by reason ofthis construction the height of the turbine is reduced to a minimum.bearing is also removable from the under side of the machine without inany way disturbing the operating parts. The base is strengthened by anumber of radially-eX tending ribs 10. Steam or other motive" fluid isdischarged to the condenser through the opening or conduit 11.

The

The step bearing comprises a shell 12 that f has a finished peripheralsurface which engages with a corresponding surface on the. base. It isalso provided with a fian e 13 which is bolted to the under side of thebase. As many of these bolts are provided as are necesary to support theweight of the revolving structure, which frequently amounts tosixty-five or seventy tons. The joint between the shell and the baseshould be tight revent the admission of air to the base an thecondenser. Surrounding the bearing shell is a casing 14 having afinished top. Situated above the top of the casing and engaging with ashoulder on the mainshaft is collar 15 which, when the step bearing islowered, will sup )ort the weight of the revolving structure. Then it isdesired. to remove the bearings a man enters the chamber in the basethrough a manhole and puts in blocks or wedges between the collar andthe top of the casing which su port, the revolving structure when thestep earing is lowered. a

The shell is arranged to su The atter may with advantage be lined WithlPbbitt metal or similar material and be secin ed to a flange on the shellby bolts. It isi slightly larger at the bottom than the top to permitqtsremoval fronithe under side of the shell. Sur rounding tlieguide bearinisa chamber 18 which conveys lubricant from the bearing to the chamber19 that is formed between the shell 12 and the inner wall of the casing14. The chamber 19 acts as a drainage chamber and is connected by thepipe 20 with a suitable tank or other receiverjwhichjlna with advantagebe iped directl to the luoricating pump. T 1e undersk e of the bearingshell is provided with a finished shoulder 21 with which the detachabIepIateZ Z engages. This plate is secured to the shell a plurality ofbolts 23, as'inany of these shit; he 1.10

" ing employed as are necessary to support the wei ht of the movingparts. Mounted within E lie plate is a screw-threaded sleeve 24 whichreceives the adjusting bolt 25. The sleeve is prevented from turning bymeans of a key 26. The plate is hollowed out to receive the lowerbearing block 27 which in the present form of the invention is made intwo parts. The lower part of the block is provided with two or moreopenings to receive the screw-threaded guide pins 28 which prevent theblock from rotating. It is also provided with a steel plate situateddirectly over and engaging with the adjusting bolt 25. The upper face.of the lower half of the bearing block is spherical in form, and mountedthereon is the upper part 29 of the lower bearing block. The two partsof the block 27 and 29 are prevented from rotating inde endently of eachother by the keys 30; the eys, however, are loosely fitted so that thespherical surfaces of the blocks will cause the parts to aline. Formedpartly in the lower block 29 and partly in the up er block 31 which isattached to the main s afais a chamber 32 which receives fluid'underpressure. The pressure on this chamber'varies with the weight of themoving parts. n certaininstances it is as high as 1500 pounds per squareinch and in others much less. The pressure within the chamber plus theeffective pressure of'the lubricating fluid between the walls of thechamber and the pcriphery of the blocks is sufficient to support theweight of the moving member of the turbine, and in this way a thin filmof oil or other lubricant is constantly maintained between the adjacentsurfaces of the bearing when the machine is in. operation. In order notto have an excessive liuid pressure on the bearing blocks, it isnecessary to make their diameter somewhat greater than that of the endof the shaft. Fluid to the pressurechamber 32 is conveyed by the pipe 33which passes freely through the adjusting bolt and also through theparts 27 and 29 of the lower bearing block. 'lhehead of the adjustingbolt is inclosed by a cover 3 which is bolted to the su porting plate.The cover is provided wit 1 a packing 35 to prevent the admission of airaround the high-pressure pipe, and the joint between the cover 34 andthe supporting plate should also be made as nearly air-tight aspossible. By the construction described the bolt 25 can be adjustedwithout disturbing the pressure pipe. T he present bearing is intcnderto work in a vacuum, and in order to equalize the pres sures between thedrainage chamber 19 of the bearing and the suction side of the pump, anequalizing pipe 36 is provided which extends upward through. the shellchamber to a point near the top. This pipe, in addition to serving as aneoualizing means, also acts to prevent the luoricant from overflowingand onwere tering the condenser casing in case the pipe 20 is choked.

Referring to Fig. 2, we have shown the Instead' of making the top of thecasing solid it has been cut away and provided with a suitable cap 37which is made in two or more pieces as is most convenient, and issecured to the casing by suitable bolts. The upper part of the cap hasbeen extended so that it is in proximity to the shoulder formed on themain driving shaft and acts as a support for the revolving structurewhen the plate 22 is removed. The cap is provided with two chambers 38and 39, and in the former two split carbon packing rings are provided,each of which has a metallic holder 41. The packing rings are normallyheld in the position shown by means of light springs, and

steam is admitted to the chamber 38 under pressure. In the chamber 39only one packing'ring is shown. This is also made of carbon and islimited as to its vertical movement by suitable abutments. The water dueto expansion-and condensation drains from the upper to the lowerchamber, and the water in passing is caught by the ring situated betweenthe packings and discharged outwardly, after which it flows down theinclined wall of the lower chamber 39. Water or other fluid isdischarged from the lower chamber by a drainage 'pipe, as is indicatedby the arrow. This pipe is led out of the base in any convenient manner.

The arrangement of the chamber 18 in the guide bearing is more clearlyillustrated in this figure. As the oil or other lubricant flows outwardfrom the chamber 32 between the adjacent surfaces of the bearing blocksit fills the chamber l2 in which the blocks are located and flows upwardthrough the channels 43 in the lining of the guid bearing. Thesechannels are connected with the chamber 18, and the latter connects withthe drainage or collection chamber 19.

Instead of making the lower bearing block in two parts with a sphericalsurface between the parts, the lower block 27 is made in a single pieceand arranged to fit snugly into the detachable plate 2'3. it isprevented from rotating by screw-tbreaded pins 28 and In order tostreiwthen the )arts which all of tbe radially-extending ribs 19 areattached; This arrangement greatly increases the strength of thestructure, and the dome thus formed constitutes the casing for thebearing shell. Besides increasing the strength of the base thisarrangement reduces the Weight of the step bearing. The bearings aresupported in atubuler shell 45 that is bolted to the under surface ofthe base. Between the outer wall of the shell and the inner Wall of thearch or casing is s chamber 46 working under atmospheric pressure inwhich the oil or other lubricant leaking out of the bearings collected.it is connected with it suitable reservoir or re ceptecle by s pipe e7.in this particular in.- stance' the bearing is working under atmosphericpressure instead of in a vacuum es in the previous illustrations. Theshell 45 is bored out to receive the guide bearing 48 which is linedwith Bobbitt or similar metal. The bearing is secured in place by boltswhich enter an internal shoulder formed on the sleeve. The cheniber iiiWhich receives the lubricslnt after it passes through the guide bearingis partly formed in the guide bearing sleeve and partly in the mainshell 45. ()n the left-bend side of the shaft is formed a passage sowhich communicates with the chamber 18 and discherges into the pipe 50.The pipe 50 may extend vertically or horizontally as is desired. Thispassage and pipe serve to return the lubricant to the suction side ofthe pump on d also to prevent overflow. The upper end of the passage 49communicates with a, pocket located adjacent to the oil-throwing ringformed on or carried by the main shaft so that any lubricant which Worksup through the guide bearing is prevented from entering the exhaustreceiving chamber.

' Keyed to the lower end ol the main shaft is the upperbeering block 31.It is provided with a horizontal bearing surface, and between it and thelower block is formed a pressure chamber 31.. The lower block is arranged to melts a. snug lit with the detachable plate 22 and is coredout centrally to rcccive the upper end of the adjusting bolt 25. Betweenthe bolt and the block is'asteel plate 58. The bolt is mounted in asteel sleeve 24 which is provided with an out-- turned flange that isbolted to the under side' of the plate 22. The boltis surrounded by acover and at the point where the pressiue pipe 33 passes through it esuitable packing is arranged. The upper end of the dome e4 1 is turnedoff true to receive the cap 51 which may be made in two or more piecesil' desired. Within the esp is formed a chamber, and located therein aretwo cerbon packing rings 52 which make e snug lit uitli'tbe shaft andpresent a side to stationery part of the structure. The rings ereprovided with metal holders 53 situated edjscent to each il q other, andare normally separated by one or more springs. in order to'hrmlv holdthe under pressure is supplied to the (-l'lmnbcr. This is done by meansof a pipe 55. The Water due to expansion and condensation is drainedfrom the packing: ring chamber by a pipe 56 which passes through anopening lorined in the plate 22 and shell 45. Stemn may be supplied tothis pipe from the boiler through an ordinary reducing valve or in anysuitable manner as, for example, from an inte'znuuliete stage orkingabove utmospheric pressure. (in the shaft are formed grooves 57 whichtend to prevent the lubricant from working up through into the exhaustrluuuber 'Ibe pressure to uhich the packing rings ere subjected dependsupon the conditions oi operation, but it should be sui'licieut toprevent lubricant l'rom morlting her.

llben it becomes uocessorv to ad ust the rotated in one direction or theother, which moves the bearing blocks and also the main slml't up ordown, depending on uhicl: nay the bolt is rotated. Alter it has beenrobloat-ion ol' a slislt, a chambered base. a sbcll which is dotscbablysecured to the under side of and rises above the level of the base, :1step and u guide-bearing mounted in the shell. and means for conveyinglubricant under pressure to the step-bearing.

in s stop bearing for a turbine, the comblll llblflil of n shalt, :1chambered base, a shell which is delscbzibly secured to the under sideof and rises above the level of the base, at bearing block which isattached to the 0nd of the shalt, at second bearing block in line \xitbtoe first and supported by the shell, there beings chamber formedbetxecn the blocks, and it means for delivering n lubriczuin; lluid tothe chamber under pressure for supportccting I'llin between the adjacentsurfaces of the blocks. i

3. in a step bearing l'or a. turbine, the coin bin-alien of s shalt, achambered base, it shell rings against their seats steam or other fluidI from the bearings into the condenser cbum' bearing, the cover 3-4 isremoved and the bolt teted to the desired position it is clamped in l.In a step bearing for a turbine, the c mv ing the \\'l1.l shel't andmaintaining a lubri' which is detachably secured to the under side ofand rises above the bottom of the base,

' a detachable plate secured to the shell a hearing block secured to theend of the shaft, a second block supported by the plate and st curedagainst rotation, means for maintain--- ing a film of lubricant betweenthe adjacent surfaces of the bearing blocks, and a means for adj uslingthe shaft longitudinally.

4. in a step hearing for a turbine, the combination of a shaft, achambered base, a shell which is dctachably secured to the under side ofthe base, a guide-bearing carried by the upper part of the shell, ahearing block secured to the lower end of the shaft, a plate detachablysecured to the lower part of the shell, a bearing block supported by theplate, an adjusting means passing through the plate and sustaining theweight on the lower bearing block, and a means for preventing the lowerblock from turning.

5. In a step bearing for a turbine, the combination of a shaft, achambered base, a shell which is secured to the base, a bearing blockthat is attached to the end of the shaft, a second bearing block in linewith the first, a plate secured to the shell for supporting the secondblock, an adjusting device for the second block which passes through theplate, and a means for conveying lubricant through the adjusting devicefor lubricating the adjacent surfaces of the blocks.

6. in a step bearing for a turbine, the courbination of a shaft, achambered base, a shell which is secured to the base, a bearing blockthat is attached to the end of the shaft, a second hearing block in linewith the first, a plate secured to the shell for supporting the secondblock, an adjusting device for the second block which passes through theplate, a wearing plate located between the end of the adjusting deviceand the second block, and a men s i or maintaining a film of lllllI'l-rcant beta an adjacent of the block.

7. in a step hearing for a turbine, the combination of a shaft, achambered base, a shell which is secured to the base, a bearing blockthat is attached to the end of the shaft and is inclosed by the shell,:1. second bearing block in line with the first, a plate secured to theshell for supporting the second block, an adjusting device for thesecond block, a detachable screw-threaded sleeve that is mounted in theplate and carries the adjusting device, and means for preventing therotation of the lower block.

S. In a step bearing for a turbine, the combination of shaft, acl'iambered base, a shell which is secured to and projects into thebase, a casing which su 'rounds the shell, a

.draiuage chamoer formed between the shell and beefing blocks forsupporting the l i I su .21s or maimaun g lubr' we ii Sit s the i in i8.1,

and a means for equalizing the pressures of the source of supply and thechamber.

9. In a step bearing for a turbine, the combination of a shaft, achambered base, a shell which is secured to and projects into the base,a casing which surrounds the shell, a. drainage chamber formed betweenthe shell and easing, bearing blocks for supporting the shaft, a meansfor maintaining a film of lubricant between adjacent surfaces of theblocks, and a aching which is supported by the casing an surrounds theshaft. 10. In a step bearing for a turbine, the combination of a shaft,a chambered base, a shell which is secured to and projects into thebase, a casing which surrounds the shell, a drainage chamberformed-between the shell and easing, bearing blocks for supporting theshaft, a means for -maintaining a film or lubricant between adjacentsurfaces of the blocks, and a packing comprising a body of carbon whichsurrounds the shaft and is supported by the casing and prevents thelubricant from min ling with the vapor in the chamber in the ase.

11. In a step bearing for a turbine, the combination of ashaft, achambered base, a shell which projects above the under side of the base,a casing which incloses the shell and is formed integral with the base,a detachable plate, means for securin the plate to the shell, there beina shoul or formed between the plate and s mil to prevent indelock whichis guided by the late, means which )Q-Fmlt the block to be a justed lontudinally but prevent it from rotation, an a second bearing block inline with the first.

12. In a step bearing for a turbine, the combination of a shaft, achambered base, a. shell which projects above the under side of thebase, a casing which incloses the shell and is formed integral with thebase, detachable data, means for securing the plate to the shell, and astep bearing carried by the shell.

13. In a step bearing for a turbine, the combination of a shaft, achambered base, a shell which projects above the under side of the base,an inclosure or casing for the shell which forms a strengthening arch ofthe base, .ribs on the base which are connected to the inclosure orcasing, and bearing blocks carriedby the shell for supporting thebucket,- Wheel shaft. i i

14. In a step bearing for a turbine, this combination of a shaft, 9.chambered base, shell which projects above the under side 0? the base,an inclosure or casing for the shell which forms a strengthenin arch forth base, a packing supported by the casin there being a conduit whichpasses; throng i the shell for supplying fluid under pressure l i thepacking, and bearing blocks supported l by the shell.

pendent lateral motion, a movable bearing 2Q asses i late and removaarses 15. In combinatioma shell, a plate supported thereby, a bearingblock mounted on the late, a means engaging with the center of t e blockfor adjusting 1t, and a conduit 5 which freely passes through theadjusting de vice and is attached to the block for lubricating it. j

16. In combination, a shaft, a shell which surrounds one of its ends, astep-bearing block suppprted by the shell, a guide-bearing situated aove the step bearing, and a means for supplying lubricant to thestep-bearing under pressure, there being channels for conveyinglubricant to the guide-bearing after it has passed through thestep-bearing.

- 17. In combination, a shaft, a shell which incloses one end thereof, astep-bearing mounted in the shell, an adjusting device for the bearing,a fluid-carrying conduit which freely through the device into thecaring, and a cap which incloses the end of the adjustingdevice andprevents the entrance of air orthe exit of fluid.

18. In combination, a shaft, a shouldered shell which incloses bneendthereof, a support to which the shell is se6ui ed,fa plate which isdetachably secured tothe under side of the shell, a ste-bearing'supported'by the 7 w le therewith, and a guidecaring which isattached to the she'll and is removable from the under side.

19. In combination, a support, a shaft, a shell which is attached to thesupport, a stepbearing mounted on the shell, an adjusting device for thebearin and a means for conveying lubricant to file adjacent surfaces ofthe hearing, which. passes through the adjusting device.

20. In a ste bearing for a turbine, the

40 combination 0 a shaft, a chambered base, a shell which is secured toand projects into the base, a casing which surrounds the shell, therebeing a drainage chamber formed between the shell and casing, bearingblocks for supporting the shaft, a means for maintaining a film oflubricant between adjacent surfaces of the blocks, and a conduit fordraining the chamber.

21. In a bearing for a turbine, the combination of a shaft, a chamberedbase, a guide bearing for the lower end of'the shaft, a step bearing forsupporting the weight of the shaft, which is located within the 'baseand forms a seal to prevent the entrance of air, and a conduit for suplying lubricant under pressure to the step earing.

22. In a bearing for a turbine, the combination of a shaft,a chamberedbase, a guidebearing for the lower end of the shaft, which is sup ortedby .the base, a-step bearing for the s aft comprising relatively movableblocks with a chamber between them, a

. means for adjusting the lower block, and a sup ort for the lowerblock, which is attac ed to the chambered base.

wwhich carries the guide bearing.

23. In a bearing for a turbine, the cornbi-- nation of ashaft, achambered base a guide bearing for the lower endof the sha t, which issupported by the base, a ste bearing for the shaft comprising a pair ofblocks and a support, the latterv being attached to the base, a conduitfor supplying lubricant to maintains. film between the blocks, and meansfor conveying lubricant exhausting from the step tothe guide bearing.

24. In a bearing for a turbine, the combination of a shaft, a base forthe turbine, a guide bearing for the shaft, a step bearing for theshaft, and a support which is corruncn.

to both bearings, incloses the end of the shaft and is itself attachedto the base as) that said bearings can be mounted in place or removed asa unit.

25. lnabearing for .a turbine, the combi-' nation of a shaft, a base forthe turbine, a guide bearing for the lower end'of the shaft,

a support for the bearing which is attached to the base and inclosestheend of the shaft,

a step bearing situatedat/the end of the shaft, and'a plate forsupporting the step bearing, which is attached to the support 26. In abearing for turbines, the combination of a base, a shaft, step-bearingblocks located at the end of the shaft, a guide-bearmo uf guide-bearingbein at right angles to each other, a support that incloses one end .95the wearing surfaces of the blocks and of the shaft andsupports theblocks and hearing so that they can be mounted 111 place or removed as aunit, and'means for attachin the support to the base. 4

27. n a bearing for turbines, the combi nation of a base, a shaft, stepand. ide bearings, the wearing surfaces of whic are located at rightangles to each other, a support which. is common to the bearings, meansfor attaching the support to the base,

and a conduit for conveying lubricant to the step bearing from which itflows to the guide bearing, there being a passagg which receives thelubricant after passing t' ough the bearings.

'28. In a bearing for a vertical shaft,- the combination of a stepbearing blocljgwhich is attached to the shaft, a second block located funder the. first for supporting the weight of the shaft andattachedparts, a support, a

plate detachablv secured to the support,

which receives the lower block and prevents it from turning, a guidebearing which is situated above the step bearing,and means for conveyinglubricant to'the step bearing, there being one or more passages forconveying exhaust lubricant from the'step to the guide bearing.

29. In a bearing combination of a step bearing block which is attachedto the shaft, a second block located under the first forfsupporting theweight of for a vertical shaft, the

lower block, means attached to the plate for preventing the lower blockfrom turning, a device for adjusting the vertical position of the lowerblock, a guide bearing situated in line With the step bearing, and ameans for lubricating the step and guide bearings.

30. In a step-bearing for a turbine, the combination of a shaft, Pvsupport, a bearing block attached to the shaft, a second block in linewith the first and normally separated therefrom by a body of lubricant,a guide for the lower block, a means carried by the support whichsustains the load on the lower block, and a conduit for supplyinglubricant to the opposed surfaces of the blocks.

, 31. In combination, an apertured wall the evens-i opposite sides ofwhich are subjected to difierent pressures, a casing located in iinewith the shaft and supported on the casing which prevents the lubricantfrom leaking from the casing. Y

In Witness whereof We have hereunto set our hands thisieth day of June1903.

WILLIAM L. R; r-MME T. OSCAR JUNGGREN. Witnesses:

BENJAMIN B. HULL, HELEN Onronn.

